The Procura di Palermo has formally requested that former Sicilian governor Salvatore Cuffaro and 17 other individuals be placed under house arrest in a sweeping corruption investigation into rigged public contracts.
Among those implicated is prominent MP Saverio Romano, the national coordinator of the centrist party Noi Moderati (NM), part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s governing coalition.
Investigators allege that the suspects — including senior politicians, public officials and business figures — formed an organised group that steered public-contract awards (“appalti pilotati”) through corrupt influence, favouritism and auction manipulation. The accusations include association to commit crime (associazione a delinquere), corruption (corruzione) and tender-rigging (turbativa d’asta).
Cuffaro no stranger to court
Former governor Cuffaro, who served as President of Sicily from 2001 to 2008 and later as a senator, is no stranger to legal scrutiny. He was previously convicted (in 2011) for aiding and abetting the mafia and served almost five years in prison between 2011 and 2015.
In a statement, Romano said he had only learned of the arrest request through the press. “I know nothing about it and I have not received any communications,” he said, adding he was calm and willing to clarify any questions from magistrates.
Under the procedure announced by the Palermo court, the 18 individuals in question have been summoned to appear before the investigating judge (GIP). The judge will then decide whether to grant the house-arrest orders. In the case of Romano, as an active member of parliament, the process will also require a prior authorisation from the Chamber of Deputies before any restriction can be applied.
The probe is led by Procurator Maurizio de Lucia and supported by the Carabinieri’s ROS unit.
